Robert Valesano

1952 - 2023

Robert Valesano, 70-year-old resident of Brainerd, MN, passed away Wednesday, September 27, 2023 at his home in Brainerd, MN.

Funeral service held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at the Halvorson-Taylor Funeral Home in Brainerd, MN. Visitation held from 4-7 P.M. on Friday and from 10-11 A.M. on Saturday all at the Halvorson-Taylor Funeral Home in Brainerd, MN. Caring for Robert and his family is the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Little Falls, MN.

Robert was born in Wakefield, MI on December 17, 1952 to Carl and Kathleen (Matter) Valesano. He spent his early years in Wakefield with his family before they moved to Little Falls, MN while Robert was in elementary school. He proceeded to graduate from Little Falls High School in 1971 before attending St. Cloud State University for his undergraduate degree and subsequently Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, IL where he obtained his Masters in Psychology. After this, he moved back to Minnesota where he married Leslie (Lowery) Valesano in 1982. They settled in Brainerd where they would remain for the entirety of their 41 years of marriage. They raised two sons there, Johnathan and Michael.

Robert loved the outdoors. Few things made him happier than spending time in the woods surrounding his home or catching the occasional trout from the pond in his backyard. He also loved music and watching old western movies, particularly the John Wayne classics that he grew up with. Robert will be remembered by all who knew him as a calming presence who had a knack for providing sage advice at opportune times. Above all, he loved his family and friends dearly, and it was from their successes and achievements that he derived the most pride.

Robert is survived by his wife, Leslie; his children, Johnathan (Ashley) Valesano and Michael (Amanda) Valesano; his grandchildren, Elena, Lachlan and Dominic; and his siblings, Marcia (Robert) Hammerbeck, David (Carol) Valesano, Jean (Jay) Guertin, Joe (Laurie) Valesano and Daniel Valesano.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Kathleen Valesano.